Dennis A Kerr

US Patent:

20010030422, Oct 18, 2001

Filed:

Dec 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/732440

Inventors:

Dennis Kerr - Ashland OH, US
Otto Swogger - Mansfield OH, US
Shawn Westrick - Mansfield OH, US
John Schoonyan - Bellville OH, US
David Culler - Ashland OH, US
Ralph Ridenour - Mansfield OH, US

Assignee:

Universal Tubular Systems, Inc.

International Classification:

F16L013/14

US Classification:

285/382000

Abstract:

A conduit connection joint is formed to connect a tube and a fitting body in fluid tight relation. The joint is made by axially compressing the tube in a bore in the fitting body so as to cause formation of an outwardly extending tube bead and at least one inwardly extending tube bead. The engagement of the fitting body and the tube may be further strengthened by a retaining ridge. The retaining ridge may be formed in the fitting body to engage the outwardly extending tube bead to further hold the fitting body and tube in engaged relation.

US Patent:

58325883, Nov 10, 1998

Filed:

Sep 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/935947

Inventors:

Ralph G. Ridenour - Mansfield OH
Dennis W. Kerr - Ashland OH

Assignee:

Universal Enterprises - Mansfield OH

International Classification:

B21D 3900

US Classification:

29516

Abstract:

A tube and fitting assembly for pressurized fluids is provided which may provide a fluid-tight seal up to the bursting pressure of the tube at relatively high temperatures. The tube and fitting assembly includes a malleable tube and a fitting having a first portion forming an external surface, a second portion radially larger than the first portion to form an abutment facing the first portion, and a recess formed within the abutment and facing the first portion. A gasket formed of a high temperature material is provided in the recess. An end of the tube is radially inwardly compressed on the external surface of the fitting and extends into the recess to the gasket. The tube is assembled to the fitting by placing the tube over the first portion of the fitting and the external surface and gripping the tube with jaws having an inward nose projection of a small axial extent at about the forward end of the fitting. The fitting and the tube are longitudinally moved relative to the jaws to longitudinally compress the tube ahead of the nose projection to deform the tube radially inward against the fitting. A portion of the tube is extended into the recess to form a seal between the tube and the fitting by expanding the tube longitudinally into the recess during the step of relative longitudinal movement or by inserting the tube longitudinally into the recess during the step of placing the tube over the first portion of the fitting.

US Patent:

57070873, Jan 13, 1998

Filed:

Apr 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/635024

Inventors:

Ralph G. Ridenour - Mansfield OH
Dennis W. Kerr - Ashland OH

Assignee:

Universal Enterprises, Inc. - Mansfield OH

International Classification:

F16L 2500

US Classification:

285331

Abstract:

A tube and fitting assembly for pressurized fluids is provided which may provide a fluid-tight seal up to the bursting pressure of the tube at relatively high temperatures. The tube and fitting assembly includes a malleable tube and a fitting having a first portion forming an external surface, a second portion radially larger than the first portion to form an abutment facing the first portion, and a recess formed within the abutment and facing the first portion. A gasket formed of a high temperature material is provided in the recess. An end of the tube is radially inwardly compressed on the external surface of the fitting and extends into the recess to the gasket. The tube is assembled to the fitting by placing the tube over the first portion of the fitting and the external surface and gripping the tube with jaws having an inward nose projection of a small axial extent at about the forward end of the fitting. The fitting and the tube are longitudinally moved relative to the jaws to longitudinally compress the tube ahead of the nose projection to deform the tube radially inward against the fitting. A portion of the tube is extended into the recess to form a seal between the tube and the fitting by expanding the tube longitudinally into the recess during the step of relative longitudinal movement or by inserting the tube longitudinally into the recess during the step of placing the tube over the first portion of the fitting.

US Patent:

55444067, Aug 13, 1996

Filed:

Apr 26, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/233846

Inventors:

Ralph G. Ridenour - Mansfield OH
Dennis W. Kerr - Ashland OH

Assignee:

Universal Enterprises, Inc. - Mansfield OH

International Classification:

B21D 3900

US Classification:

29520

Abstract:

A malleable tube is assembled to a rigid fitting by placing the end of the tube over one end of the fitting which has a barb with a locking face facing away from the end of the fitting and a sloping face facing the end of the fitting, the tube is gripped with jaws which have an inward nose projection of a small axial extent and this nose projection grips the tube at about the end of the fitting, force is applied between the fitting and the jaws to relatively move the fitting and tube longitudinally into the jaws until the nose projection has relatively moved past the barb on the fitting.

US Patent:

55971865, Jan 28, 1997

Filed:

Jul 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/675696

Inventors:

Ralph G. Ridenour - Mansfield OH
Dennis W. Kerr - Ashland OH

Assignee:

Universal Enterprises, Inc. - Mansfield OH

International Classification:

F16L 2500

US Classification:

285330

Abstract:

A malleable tube is assembled to a rigid fitting by placing the end of the tube over one end of the fitting which has a barb with a locking face facing away from the end of the fitting and a sloping face facing the end of the fitting, the tube is gripped with jaws which have an inward nose projection of a small axial extent and this nose projection grips the tube at about the end of the fitting, force is applied between the fitting and the jaws to relatively move the fitting and tube longitudinally into the jaws until the nose projection has relatively moved past the barb on the fitting.